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Following is a question by the Hon Abraham Shek and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (June 9):
Question:
It has been reported that there has been a rapid increase in the mainland customers' demand for baby formula in Hong Kong. Such demand resulted in a 10% to 20% shortage in the supply of baby formula in Hong Kong as estimated by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy Limited. As such, some parents in Hong Kong have started stockpiling baby formula even though they already have weeks of stock. In this connection, will the Government inform the Council:
(a) of the monitoring measures and co-ordination mechanism currently adopted by the authorities to ensure a stable supply of baby formula in Hong Kong;
(b) given that under the short-term food assistance projects funded by the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental organisations which implement the projects provide short-term food assistance including baby formula for target service users, whether the Government has assessed the impact of the aforesaid shortage in the supply of baby formula in Hong Kong on the provision of baby formula to such service users; if an assessment has been made, of the details (including the number of service users affected and the assistance provided to them between 2008 and 2010);
(c) of the maximum quantity of baby formula allowed for travellers in each export clearance for personal effects in Hong Kong at present; and
(d) whether it will consider imposing additional restriction on the quantity of baby formula to be exported from Hong Kong as personal effects; if it will, of the details of the implementation schedule; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) The Government's policy on the supply of non-staple food is to ensure that the food market and food trade are highly open and competitive, with diversified sources and food types, with a view to maintaining a stable food supply.
Food products (including baby formula) from around the world can be imported into Hong Kong for distribution according to market demand as long as they comply with the statutory requirements in Hong Kong. Consumers can choose from a wide variety of food products at varying prices.
When the melamine incident happened in 2008, local parents flocked to buy baby formula. At that time, the Food and Health Bureau promptly liaised with major suppliers of baby formula and encouraged them to increase the quantity of import, so as to ensure a stable supply. The Consumer Council also liaised with the trade on the incident, kept in view the prices of baby formula in the market and disseminated consumer information. The Government will continue to keep in view the supplies of major food products and maintain liaison with the trade.
On the other hand, the Government is committed to promoting, upholding and supporting breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides optimal nutritional, immunological and emotional nurturing for the growth and development of infants - its benefits are unequalled. Workshops are provided by the Department of Health to educate pregnant women about the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. Counselling service is also provided to support breastfeeding mothers. In public hospitals, the Hospital Authority provides clinical instructions to pregnant women to help them acquire breastfeeding skills. In parallel, the Government makes available babycare rooms in government premises, as well as promotes and provides guidance for setting up babycare rooms in commercial premises.
(b) The Labour and Welfare Bureau indicates that according to the non-governmental organisations operating the short-term food assistance service projects, the supply of baby formula for the service has remained steady since the service began in February 2009 and is sufficient to meet the service demand. Up to the end of April 2010, about 5,000 cans of baby formula had been provided for 830 service users.
(c) and (d) Hong Kong embraces free market economy and free trade. To meet market demand, the trade always reacts swiftly and flexibly to changes in demand and supply of overseas and local markets. The demand and supply of food are also determined by the market. The Food and Health Bureau will not impose any control on export of food where there is no particular concern on grounds of public hygiene and prevention of diseases.
Ends/Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:41
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